DNA leads police to suspect in woman's slaying, rape

SAN ANTONIO DNA led San Antonio police to a 21-year-old man accused in the Jan. 2012 rape and murder of a woman whose nude body was found in a West Side alley.

Daniel Reyes is being held in the Bexar County Jail on one count of capital murder in connection with the death of Elizabeth Bermea. A judge set bail at $500,000.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Bermea was 45 when she was attacked in the 900 block of Menchaca Street. A witness saw a man on top of a woman outside of his bathroom window and told police he heard a woman screaming.

After about 40 minutes, the witness reportedly saw the man pick up his pants, put his jacket on and kick the woman. He then dragged her across the street, according to the affidavit, but not before he stopped to sexually assault her again.

The witness told police that during the second assault, He could hear the groans from the woman even though his bathroom window was closed, the affidavit states.

DNA samples were taken from Bermea's body and entered into the Combined DNA Index System, and on Sept. 20, a match was found.

According to public records, Reyes had been arrested several times before: in September, 2012, for prostitution; in May, 2012, for assault of a family member, causing bodily injury; and in February, 2011, for making a terroristic threat to a relative. All three times, he was found guilty, given a fine and sentenced to jail.

Police on Saturday contacted Reyes at his home, in the 100 block of Jeffrey Street, about five blocks from where Bermea's body was found.

He reportedly told police he was involved in a physical confrontation with Bermea, the affidavit states, and he struck her in the face, which knocked her out. He also told police that Bermea was kicking him, so he restrained her legs and dragged her to the alley, where he engaged in sexual intercourse, the affidavit states.

Reyes told police that he hit her hard enough to knock her out so that she would not remember what had happened to her the next morning, and then walked home.

See original here:
DNA leads police to suspect in woman's slaying, rape